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McDonalds Ads - tell us how do you feel about them folks?

609 replies

JustineMumsnet · 01/03/2011 16:22

Good day MNetters,
We've been asked if we'd host ads for McDonalds, so we thought we'd ask what you think. Would you object to banner ads (ie like the one at the top of the page) on Mumsnet?
Let us know.

OP posts:
Eleison · 04/03/2011 14:03

But you've already spoke about the prospect of MN censoring anti-McD threads if they advertised, glasnost. All that just seems so unlikely that it undermines your position perhaps?

notsweatingthesmallstuff · 04/03/2011 14:13

Amazed at how many people think that ads don't influence them in any way. I doubt that advertising would be the very lucrative industry it is if that was true. Just because we don't notice them doesn't mean they are not having an effect. That is the whole point of subliminal advertising, isn't it?

glasnost · 04/03/2011 14:19

It happens all the time Eleison

piprabbit · 04/03/2011 14:20

But most of the time I'm reading people's posts. Once you get down beyond the first handful of posts, there simply aren't any ads to be seen.
So no - the ads are not continually influencing me. I have managed to not click on the link to see the MN Will Young interview, nor have I bought a MN guide.

seanbonbon · 04/03/2011 14:23

Amazing to see that so many people fear advertising aimed at children.

Yes it's a PITA but we are in charge of what goes into our childrens mouths. No-one else.
I never had a McDonalds till I was 13. Because my parents said "No".

Subliminal or not we know McDonalds is not healthy food no matter how many carrot sticks they chuck at us.

An occasional treat is not going to make a child obese.

LaWeasel · 04/03/2011 14:25

Depends how old you are as to how effective online advertising is and what kind of advertising influences you.

To do with your brain and how it processes apparently. And because of tech developments different generations actually have different brain patterns. (Or something)

MadamDeathstare · 04/03/2011 14:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FindingStuffToChuckOut · 04/03/2011 15:03

no problem with it - to be honest I don't pay much attention to the ads though I'm sure there will be a few 'outraged' threads started up about it :)

zukiecat · 04/03/2011 15:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LibraPoppyGirl · 04/03/2011 15:14

No problems with it at all.

It's all good, it's revenue raising for MN and if some people are going to get worked up about a bit of advertising for Maccas, then they have bigger ishoos going on, IMO, humble as that may be Wink.

Oooh I could just go a Big Mac right now.

SeeJaneKick · 04/03/2011 17:14

If you don't know why some people are unhappy with the idea then this link

will explain just some of the reasons...there are others too.

herbietea · 04/03/2011 17:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

SeeJaneKick · 04/03/2011 17:21

It's not about what we can afford herb....but about what we are prepared to accept.

southeastastra · 04/03/2011 17:21

does anyone else remember when mumsnet asked this question a couple of years ago?

how times have changed.

LaWeasel · 04/03/2011 17:26

I don't remember the first time...

For me, I know that McDs used to be pretty awful but actually I think there practices have improved hugely so I'm okay with them now, when maybe I wouldn't have been a few years back.

southeastastra · 04/03/2011 17:27

i find it weird that itv had to cancel kids tv because of the 'junk' food ban yet people on this thread have no problem with it.

sad as it will never come back to terrestial tv. (whole other subject)

worraliberty · 04/03/2011 17:27

No problem here either. Mind you I rarely even notice the ads anyway.

LadyOfTheManor · 04/03/2011 17:29

Can't see how advertising fatty greasy fast food is going to benefit anyone. Least of all in the times of childhood obesity. However, we're a group of women "in the know" so I'm sure we'll just ignore it!

MilaMae · 04/03/2011 17:41

I have a big problem with it for many of the reasons on the other thread.I also think it makes it look as if mn has double standards.

On the one hand mn starts campaigns such the Let Girls Be Girls one against commercialisation and over sexualisation of children then it supports companies like Disney and Mcdonalds who must be 2 of the biggest exploiters out.

We're bombarded with this shite,I really don't want to support it on here.

Also who knows what campaigns mn will want to run in the future,advertising McDonalds could come back to haunt in the future. Nobody will take the site seriously.

Was very disappointed with the Disney ad,I'm quite shocked Mcdonalds is even being considered. Poor old Jamie won't be happy.

Don't any decent companies approach mn then or is it just the shite ones like Nestle,Mcdonalds etc ?

Sorry not impressed.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 04/03/2011 17:41

I don't know about any of you, but I have never ever, in 38 years of life, seen an advert and been forced against my will to purchase what is advertised.

So if you feel mcdonalds is the devil, then an advert will not change that. It will not make you buy. And you know that.

So that only leaves not wanting other people to see it. Because? You think it's horrible therefore everyone should? Because you know certain unethical business practices so you must protect other people? Because it offends the eye? Because you think that you should control other people's choices and only adverts you approve of should be allowed? Why?

I don't get it. I would understand if an advert forced you to buy, but it doesn't. It doesn't do anything other than tell you the product is available.

Now, I don't think there's a person alive who doesn't know about mcdonalds Grin so I am not quite sure an advert on here will do anything.

And I am also sure that, as fun as mumsnet is, people do not go, well, I used to HATE X brand, they're awful, but they have an ad on mumsnet so I simply HAVE to have one. Mumsnet approves.

Lovecat · 04/03/2011 17:42

I hate the ads anyway - ban em' all!

Especially that one on atm with the toothy Boden woman in the naff yellow coat.

You do realise, Justine, that if you say yes to Maccy D's you will have no moral leg to stand on when Iceland come calling next Christmas wanting to inflict out-of-condition can-can dancers, bad air guitar and Jason Donovan in fishnets on us all?

Personally I'm agin it, but that's because I spend my life fighting against DD's unshakeable conviction that a Happy Meal is the best food ever - I don't need to see it advertised on MN as well!

Vev · 04/03/2011 17:47

No problems, love McDonalds, there are worse things.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 04/03/2011 17:48

x-post with mila.

It's just revenue. It's no different to, say, tv channels. I don't have anything against, er, ITV, because they advertise mcdonalds or whatever. I understand that it's just a company advertising, it raises the money to pay for the programming.

Same with mumsnet. An advert is not an endorsement. It's not. Not on tv, not in newspapers and not on mumsnet.

I think people take mumsnet too seriously. It's a forum. it's info for parents. it's not our moral guardian or anything. It's a facility we use. If we choose. It is being hyped up like hell and it is getting silly now.

JuicyOlive · 04/03/2011 17:48

Not the most ethical of businesses but it's your website and I won't object as I'm too lazy to boycott stuff fairly laid back.

However, I would very much like to THANK YOU FOR ASKING - not a lot of websites would do that.

MilkNoSugarPlease · 04/03/2011 17:51

Good god whats the big deal?

Is this advert going to force you to buy it's heavenly goods?

No!

It's an advert!

Frankly I think Boden is a pile of shit....but I couldn't care less that it's advertised!

MNHQ, go for it!